Proverbs 4:7
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Lord, we thank You for the excellent start to the on-line theological program in Belize. Thank You for sending your Holy Spirit to Father Shaw as he develops the curriculum and thinks of new ways to deliver the course material in this technological age. Thank you for all the students who are working so hard to become ministers of Your Word. May all of Father Shaw’s work and all of the students’ studying be guided by You, full of your wisdom and leading to the understanding that You intend.
We ask for your continued inspiration for Father Shaw and his students as they continue to delve into effective ways to interpret the Bible. Be with Father Shaw and Mother Julie as they visit St. Paul’s in Brookfield CT this Sunday. May they meet new financial supporters and intercessory prayer supporters during their stay. And we pray also for Father Shaw’s trip to Belize in October and his part at the Synod of the Diocese of Belize and for the longer range plans of bringing on-line theological training to the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania and to the Diocese of Albany as well.
We thank You, Lord, for every blessing. Amen.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Newsletter
A foot in two realms.
I am teaching students in Belize a Biblical Interpretation course by Internet, but as I engage them in chat sessions and by email daily, and as I set up the course for them, I feel as though I am there, in Belize: a foot in both worlds.
From my desk, which looks like a wardrobe, entering Narnia is almost a fitting analogy, but not quite. This is real, and nobody moves. We meet each other, almost as if we were two sides of the same computer screen, except that we are both appearing on the same side, at the same time. Metaphorically, they enter North America while I enter Belize. Many feet in two realms.
Some of the students seem challenged just with the academics, and some seem challenged by the local telecommunications company in Belize. But they are all enthused, for their backs are to the wall. This is it. There is no other theological educational plan, so we are invested in each other, to make it work, and it is working.
One of my goals is to leave no one behind. It was not an officially assigned goal, but it is a role that I gladly take on for the Gospel.
And so, it comes as a pleasant surprise to the students when I reach into the muck of their situation and metaphorically pull out a rose of a solution, so that they can keep going. And they are so relieved. They are not left behind. Another dashed hope averted. Someone cares.
And they learn things. Learning things about God, about mission, about prayer, about being Anglican in Belize. Part of teaching the future leaders of the Diocese of Belize is to learn to come together as a team. We work with the regular folks whom the Lord gave us. Some might be little rough around the edges, but they are part of our team. People are people, everywhere.
It may be hard for some people to see growth right now, but it is happening, slowly, deliberately, patiently, day by day, one footstep at a time. And then, one day in the future, other people may suddenly notice what is happening, and see what God did. And they will be amazed and may want to become involved.
If you see the students through God’s eyes as successful, there is a good chance that they will succeed, but maybe not in the way that you or they expect, but in God’s way. So, not only do all the students and faculty have a foot on each continent, we have one foot on earth and one in the Kingdom of Heaven. That could be a lot of feet in heaven and on earth!
Ways to support us.
Your prayers and financial support make the online educational ministry happen. Thank you.
Please make checks out to: "SAMS", and put "Mudge" in the memo space. The mailing address is: SAMS, P. O. Box 399, Ambridge, PA 15003-0399.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Global missionaries of SAMS and Albany.
Shaw and Julie in San Ignacio, Belize, July 2012 with Ms. Cecile Reyes, Administrative/Diocesan Secretary. Photo by Fr. Juan Marentes.
I am teaching students in Belize a Biblical Interpretation course by Internet, but as I engage them in chat sessions and by email daily, and as I set up the course for them, I feel as though I am there, in Belize: a foot in both worlds.
From my desk, which looks like a wardrobe, entering Narnia is almost a fitting analogy, but not quite. This is real, and nobody moves. We meet each other, almost as if we were two sides of the same computer screen, except that we are both appearing on the same side, at the same time. Metaphorically, they enter North America while I enter Belize. Many feet in two realms.
Some of the students seem challenged just with the academics, and some seem challenged by the local telecommunications company in Belize. But they are all enthused, for their backs are to the wall. This is it. There is no other theological educational plan, so we are invested in each other, to make it work, and it is working.
One of my goals is to leave no one behind. It was not an officially assigned goal, but it is a role that I gladly take on for the Gospel.
And so, it comes as a pleasant surprise to the students when I reach into the muck of their situation and metaphorically pull out a rose of a solution, so that they can keep going. And they are so relieved. They are not left behind. Another dashed hope averted. Someone cares.
And they learn things. Learning things about God, about mission, about prayer, about being Anglican in Belize. Part of teaching the future leaders of the Diocese of Belize is to learn to come together as a team. We work with the regular folks whom the Lord gave us. Some might be little rough around the edges, but they are part of our team. People are people, everywhere.
It may be hard for some people to see growth right now, but it is happening, slowly, deliberately, patiently, day by day, one footstep at a time. And then, one day in the future, other people may suddenly notice what is happening, and see what God did. And they will be amazed and may want to become involved.
If you see the students through God’s eyes as successful, there is a good chance that they will succeed, but maybe not in the way that you or they expect, but in God’s way. So, not only do all the students and faculty have a foot on each continent, we have one foot on earth and one in the Kingdom of Heaven. That could be a lot of feet in heaven and on earth!
Ways to support us.
Your prayers and financial support make the online educational ministry happen. Thank you.
Please make checks out to: "SAMS", and put "Mudge" in the memo space. The mailing address is: SAMS, P. O. Box 399, Ambridge, PA 15003-0399.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Global missionaries of SAMS and Albany.
Shaw and Julie in San Ignacio, Belize, July 2012 with Ms. Cecile Reyes, Administrative/Diocesan Secretary. Photo by Fr. Juan Marentes.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Prayer Mail
Dear partners in prayer,
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's update:
We are full swing into our semester curriculum. We are having a great time. Great students.
Since Belize is much closer to the equator, we don't have Fall and Spring semesters. We have semester 1 and semester 2 of each academic year; we are in semester 1 of this year.
Prayer requests:
1) For our visit to St. Paul's in Brookfield, CT, this coming weekend, to preach and make a presentation about our on-line program.
2) For our students, classes, and the continued development of the online courses.
3) For my part at the Synod of the Diocese of Belize in October.
4) For the plans to visit the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania in March or April.
God bless you, and thank you for praying for us. Your prayers are really important for us, and I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
SAMS missionaries, as well as missionaries of the Diocese of Albany
Serving globally.
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's update:
We are full swing into our semester curriculum. We are having a great time. Great students.
Since Belize is much closer to the equator, we don't have Fall and Spring semesters. We have semester 1 and semester 2 of each academic year; we are in semester 1 of this year.
Prayer requests:
1) For our visit to St. Paul's in Brookfield, CT, this coming weekend, to preach and make a presentation about our on-line program.
2) For our students, classes, and the continued development of the online courses.
3) For my part at the Synod of the Diocese of Belize in October.
4) For the plans to visit the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania in March or April.
God bless you, and thank you for praying for us. Your prayers are really important for us, and I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
SAMS missionaries, as well as missionaries of the Diocese of Albany
Serving globally.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Scripture Prayer
John 1: 1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Today, Lord, Father Shaw Mudge and his students from Belize begin their course on Biblical Interpretation. Lord, we thank You for that great source of Your Word that reveals Jesus Christ to us. May the students have great insight into the character of your Son, Jesus Christ. May they know his light. May they share that light with others. May your Kingdom come in all its glory as your light shines in the hearts of Father Shaw and his students. Shine, Jesus, shine! And may your Holy Spirit help them and inspire them in their studies.
We pray for stamina for Father Shaw as he creates new resources with which to deliver his courses. We pray for financial provision for him and his family. And we ask for blessings on Mother Julie and Lydia and Hannah and Ruth. We thank You Lord for your provision and for every answer to prayer. Amen.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Today, Lord, Father Shaw Mudge and his students from Belize begin their course on Biblical Interpretation. Lord, we thank You for that great source of Your Word that reveals Jesus Christ to us. May the students have great insight into the character of your Son, Jesus Christ. May they know his light. May they share that light with others. May your Kingdom come in all its glory as your light shines in the hearts of Father Shaw and his students. Shine, Jesus, shine! And may your Holy Spirit help them and inspire them in their studies.
We pray for stamina for Father Shaw as he creates new resources with which to deliver his courses. We pray for financial provision for him and his family. And we ask for blessings on Mother Julie and Lydia and Hannah and Ruth. We thank You Lord for your provision and for every answer to prayer. Amen.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Prayer Mail
Dear partners in prayer,
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's update:
1) This week, we are currently in a transition from our Orientation course to the first Biblical Interpretation course. Things seem to be going well; and each day there seems to be something interesting. Additional students are wanting to join.
2) It seems that I am online just about every day with students in Belize. I can do this more easily online, as it turns out, than if I were on the ground in a traditional setting.
3) Because there is a fair amount of mold that grows during the rainy season on books in Belize, providing the students with electronic resources that they can use on their flash drives, keeps the materials fresh and portable.
4) I developed presentations to make it easier for students to access the courses at various times of the week. I think we are doing well in this part. To do this in an orderly fashion, I rearranged part of the OATC (Online Anglican Theological College) online library to handle the sudden increase in course materials available online.
5) Our mailing went out.
Prayer requests:
1) For our class chat lecture on Saturday (11 am Eastern time).
2) For the students taking the online courses in Belize, and for those thinking about joining.
3) For continued development of the online courses.
4) For plans to visit Belize City in October, for the Synod of the Diocese of Belize.
5) For a favorable response to our mailing.
6) For the plans to visit the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania in March or April.
God bless you, and thank you for praying for us. Your prayers are really important for us, and I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
SAMS missionaries, as well as missionaries of the Diocese of Albany
Serving globally.
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's update:
1) This week, we are currently in a transition from our Orientation course to the first Biblical Interpretation course. Things seem to be going well; and each day there seems to be something interesting. Additional students are wanting to join.
2) It seems that I am online just about every day with students in Belize. I can do this more easily online, as it turns out, than if I were on the ground in a traditional setting.
3) Because there is a fair amount of mold that grows during the rainy season on books in Belize, providing the students with electronic resources that they can use on their flash drives, keeps the materials fresh and portable.
4) I developed presentations to make it easier for students to access the courses at various times of the week. I think we are doing well in this part. To do this in an orderly fashion, I rearranged part of the OATC (Online Anglican Theological College) online library to handle the sudden increase in course materials available online.
5) Our mailing went out.
Prayer requests:
1) For our class chat lecture on Saturday (11 am Eastern time).
2) For the students taking the online courses in Belize, and for those thinking about joining.
3) For continued development of the online courses.
4) For plans to visit Belize City in October, for the Synod of the Diocese of Belize.
5) For a favorable response to our mailing.
6) For the plans to visit the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania in March or April.
God bless you, and thank you for praying for us. Your prayers are really important for us, and I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
SAMS missionaries, as well as missionaries of the Diocese of Albany
Serving globally.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Scripture Prayer
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Father God, I write this prayer at the same time that Father Shaw is leading a chat session with his students. Lord, we thank You for the inspiration that You have given him and for the enthusiastic reception of his slide programs and videos. Lord, continue to guide Father Shaw into the best methods of interacting with his students. May all that are connected with this program learn to see You better.
Be especially with Shaw in the next week as he gets ready to launch the first content driven course to his Belize students.
We also pray for further support for Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge. We thank You Lord that You do provide. We ask for stronger financial support so that they can meet the needs of everyday living and family concerns.
Thank You for every blessing that You send, Lord. Amen.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Father God, I write this prayer at the same time that Father Shaw is leading a chat session with his students. Lord, we thank You for the inspiration that You have given him and for the enthusiastic reception of his slide programs and videos. Lord, continue to guide Father Shaw into the best methods of interacting with his students. May all that are connected with this program learn to see You better.
Be especially with Shaw in the next week as he gets ready to launch the first content driven course to his Belize students.
We also pray for further support for Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge. We thank You Lord that You do provide. We ask for stronger financial support so that they can meet the needs of everyday living and family concerns.
Thank You for every blessing that You send, Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Prayer Mail
Dear partners in prayer,
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's update:
A) Today, I think back to where I was in September 11, 2001. I did not watch much of the video coverage of the event at the time. I have not seen too much to this day. Too close to home, in fact 32 funerals in my home town. Personal stories from the living. A story of at least one person I knew who perished helping others get out; he had a strong commitment to the Gospel.
B) But the Gospel is not stopped by human events. God is bigger. And so, in Belize we are raising up a seminary from virtual extinction, now with a greater potential to reach people across Belize, and Africa, and the US: online, because of what is happening in Belize.
There is no one else doing it for the Diocese of Belize. I am more and more awestruck as I stand in the gap for the entire diocese of Belize with goals: to bring more people to Christ, to raise up clergy, to train people to do the work of ministry in the midst of difficult circumstances: healing, prayer, Bible, leading congregations, transforming communities for the gospel.
I sense your prayers, every day. I am awed by what God is doing. You are making a difference.
C) Other updates:
1) We had a great time at Trinity Church in Granville, yesterday. Awesome. In the midst of it all, Julie preached a great sermon; we concelebrated with Fr. Art, and my presentation went well.
2) I have made plane reservations for the Diocesan Synod in Belize in October; Bp. Philip would like me to talk about the online program at the Synod.
3) We have a mailing coming out, and Julie and I have been working on that.
4) Hardware installation in the Diocese of W. Tanganyika in Tanzania is now projected for sometime in March/April 2013; this is better timing than before. I am planning to make a visit there at that time, to check out the system and to meet with people. It is possible that I may be teaching students in Belize from Tanzania during the trip.
5) At the suggestion of several students, on Friday, I created a set of two slide presentations and turned them into videos, (some people prefer video but not everyone can access video); both sets became immediately accessible online and turned out to be right on target. What I did not realize (and what really turned out to be a home run) is that the method and the combination that I used feeds right into the kind of educational learning style that most of the world uses, in a way that is really helpful to the students. I sensed God's hand in it, in a powerful way. In the forefront, I pray about what to do.
Prayer requests:
1) For the students taking the Fall online courses in Belize.
2) For the continued course development of the on-line programs for the dioceses of Belize, Albany, and W. Tanganyika. The goal is 58 courses over 3.5 years. We create one set of live courses, and use those to develop the 24/7 courses; the combination of the two types is 58 courses.
3) For our family.
4) For plans to visit Belize City in October, during the Diocesan Synod.
5) For the response to the mailing.
6) For the plans to visit the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania.
God bless you, and thank you for praying for us. Your prayers are really important for us, and I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
SAMS missionaries, as well as missionaries of the Diocese of Albany
Serving globally.
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's update:
A) Today, I think back to where I was in September 11, 2001. I did not watch much of the video coverage of the event at the time. I have not seen too much to this day. Too close to home, in fact 32 funerals in my home town. Personal stories from the living. A story of at least one person I knew who perished helping others get out; he had a strong commitment to the Gospel.
B) But the Gospel is not stopped by human events. God is bigger. And so, in Belize we are raising up a seminary from virtual extinction, now with a greater potential to reach people across Belize, and Africa, and the US: online, because of what is happening in Belize.
There is no one else doing it for the Diocese of Belize. I am more and more awestruck as I stand in the gap for the entire diocese of Belize with goals: to bring more people to Christ, to raise up clergy, to train people to do the work of ministry in the midst of difficult circumstances: healing, prayer, Bible, leading congregations, transforming communities for the gospel.
I sense your prayers, every day. I am awed by what God is doing. You are making a difference.
C) Other updates:
1) We had a great time at Trinity Church in Granville, yesterday. Awesome. In the midst of it all, Julie preached a great sermon; we concelebrated with Fr. Art, and my presentation went well.
2) I have made plane reservations for the Diocesan Synod in Belize in October; Bp. Philip would like me to talk about the online program at the Synod.
3) We have a mailing coming out, and Julie and I have been working on that.
4) Hardware installation in the Diocese of W. Tanganyika in Tanzania is now projected for sometime in March/April 2013; this is better timing than before. I am planning to make a visit there at that time, to check out the system and to meet with people. It is possible that I may be teaching students in Belize from Tanzania during the trip.
5) At the suggestion of several students, on Friday, I created a set of two slide presentations and turned them into videos, (some people prefer video but not everyone can access video); both sets became immediately accessible online and turned out to be right on target. What I did not realize (and what really turned out to be a home run) is that the method and the combination that I used feeds right into the kind of educational learning style that most of the world uses, in a way that is really helpful to the students. I sensed God's hand in it, in a powerful way. In the forefront, I pray about what to do.
Prayer requests:
1) For the students taking the Fall online courses in Belize.
2) For the continued course development of the on-line programs for the dioceses of Belize, Albany, and W. Tanganyika. The goal is 58 courses over 3.5 years. We create one set of live courses, and use those to develop the 24/7 courses; the combination of the two types is 58 courses.
3) For our family.
4) For plans to visit Belize City in October, during the Diocesan Synod.
5) For the response to the mailing.
6) For the plans to visit the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania.
God bless you, and thank you for praying for us. Your prayers are really important for us, and I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
SAMS missionaries, as well as missionaries of the Diocese of Albany
Serving globally.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Scripture Prayer
Proverbs 24:3
By wisdom a house is built; and by understanding it is established.
Father God, we continue to pray for Father Shaw and for his 15 students from Belize. He describes his work as continuing to build a ship while it is sailing. Could it also be a house that is being built and lived in at the same time? Lord, we pray for that wisdom for Father Shaw and for his students, that the house is being built by Your wisdom and the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus, Your Son. May true understanding be established.
We pray that all computer bugs be eliminated and that each chat session is trouble free. Lord, we ask that You keep the communication lines open between Father Shaw and his students, between Father Shaw and Yourself, and between the students and You.
Amen.
By wisdom a house is built; and by understanding it is established.
Father God, we continue to pray for Father Shaw and for his 15 students from Belize. He describes his work as continuing to build a ship while it is sailing. Could it also be a house that is being built and lived in at the same time? Lord, we pray for that wisdom for Father Shaw and for his students, that the house is being built by Your wisdom and the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus, Your Son. May true understanding be established.
We pray that all computer bugs be eliminated and that each chat session is trouble free. Lord, we ask that You keep the communication lines open between Father Shaw and his students, between Father Shaw and Yourself, and between the students and You.
Amen.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Prayer Mail
Dear partners in prayer,
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's update:
1) It has been an interesting week for Julie and myself. This missionary lifestyle is full of adventure: up and down, spiritual warfare, up and down, spiritual warfare, up.... What keeps me going through it all is the image of my resting in the palm of Jesus' hand. It keeps me going through it all, with a sense of God's peace.
2) Regarding the Belize online campus:
The first day of orientation class was exciting. One of the reasons we have an orientation course is to work out the bugs so that we don't work them out during a regular class. That was a wise decision. Net result: we got through our first bug, and the 3.5 year seminary plan is off to a solid start.
3) Regarding the Albany online campus:
The goal is to have the first course or so available at the turn of the year.
4) Lydia is at college. She has a great roommate and very good room. She is taking control of her studies. Great stuff!
5) We had a good time at Trinity Church in Watervliet, this morning. I got to pray a prayer for the anniversary of Fr. Marty and Judy. That was a powerful moment.
Prayer requests:
1) For the students taking the Fall online courses in Belize, and for the program overall, especially the next few weeks as we go through our shake-down cruise. I think this sums up the situation: we are building the ship while sailing it.
2) For the continued course development of the on-line programs for Belize, Albany, and W. Tanganyika.
3) For Lydia as she settles into college.
4) For Hannah and the month of prayer for Troy.
5) For the goals of each of our family members, that we would be the ministers whom Jesus has called us to be.
6) For plans to visit Belize City in October, during the Diocesan Synod.
7) For possible plans to visit the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania in December/January, to work out on-line plans for Kasulu Bible College (East Africa).
God bless you, and thank you for praying for us. Your prayers are really important for us, and I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
SAMS missionaries, as well as missionaries of the Diocese of Albany
Serving globally.
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's update:
1) It has been an interesting week for Julie and myself. This missionary lifestyle is full of adventure: up and down, spiritual warfare, up and down, spiritual warfare, up.... What keeps me going through it all is the image of my resting in the palm of Jesus' hand. It keeps me going through it all, with a sense of God's peace.
2) Regarding the Belize online campus:
The first day of orientation class was exciting. One of the reasons we have an orientation course is to work out the bugs so that we don't work them out during a regular class. That was a wise decision. Net result: we got through our first bug, and the 3.5 year seminary plan is off to a solid start.
3) Regarding the Albany online campus:
The goal is to have the first course or so available at the turn of the year.
4) Lydia is at college. She has a great roommate and very good room. She is taking control of her studies. Great stuff!
5) We had a good time at Trinity Church in Watervliet, this morning. I got to pray a prayer for the anniversary of Fr. Marty and Judy. That was a powerful moment.
Prayer requests:
1) For the students taking the Fall online courses in Belize, and for the program overall, especially the next few weeks as we go through our shake-down cruise. I think this sums up the situation: we are building the ship while sailing it.
2) For the continued course development of the on-line programs for Belize, Albany, and W. Tanganyika.
3) For Lydia as she settles into college.
4) For Hannah and the month of prayer for Troy.
5) For the goals of each of our family members, that we would be the ministers whom Jesus has called us to be.
6) For plans to visit Belize City in October, during the Diocesan Synod.
7) For possible plans to visit the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania in December/January, to work out on-line plans for Kasulu Bible College (East Africa).
God bless you, and thank you for praying for us. Your prayers are really important for us, and I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
SAMS missionaries, as well as missionaries of the Diocese of Albany
Serving globally.
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